Leblanc Tenor Question

[Sigmund451]

For those who have played these how would you characterize the tone? Leblanc System Sax

[Ol Danl]

Sorry I just found your question. I've been playing one of these since about 1972. I don't have a lot of experience with other horns to compare it to, and I don't claim to be a great player. At the time I got it, I was playing a The Martin which probably had some leaks, and the Leblanc's tone was much larger than that horn's. I think the tone I get nowadays is pretty big, and it can sound fairly dry at times. I use a Link 7* metal mouthpiece, and 3 or 3 1/2 Rico Royals. It doesn't cooperate all that well in the altissimo -- although it may be just my mediocrity instead of the horn. I even acquired the Leblanc fingering chart for it a few years ago, and the altissimo fingerings didn't work for me. My biggest complaint is the light springs. The low C key opens kinda slowly, and if you hold the horn up sort of sideways, it will barely open at all. I'm thinking about getting a heavier spring for that key. I really think the tone is the best thing about the Leblanc.